HAMMOND, La. –  Three former members of the Southeastern Louisiana University football program will have an opportunity to continue their careers in the National Football League following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft.
 
Former SLU quarterback Cole Kelley and former Lion tight end Nolan Givan both inked undrafted free agent contracts. Kelley signed with the Washington Commanders, while Givan signed with the Detroit Lions. In addition, former Southeastern wide receiver Tim Wilson Jr. received a rookie minicamp invite from the Indianapolis Colts.
 
Kelley, the 2020 Walter Payton Award winner and 2021 Southland Conference Player of the Year, finished his three years in Hammond as the FCS career leader in completion percentage, as well as the program's all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, total offense and rushing touchdowns.
 
The 2021 consensus All-American was an NFL Scouting Combine invitee, won the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Offensive MVP and participated in the Hula Bowl.
 
Givan was an impact performer for SLU in his lone season with the program, earning first team All-Southland Conference and Louisiana Newcomer of the Year honors. The Berkley, Michigan native hauled in 56 passes for 572 yards and six touchdowns.
 
Wilson Jr. spent two seasons in the green and gold. The Plano, Texas native caught 21 passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns during his time with the Lions.
 
Kelley, Givan and Wilson Jr.'s former teammates will report back in the fall on Aug. 4 with the team's first practice set for Aug. 5. Southeastern, one of six teams to be ranked in the final national FCS polls in each of the past three seasons, will open the 2022 season Sept. 3 at UL Lafayette. The five-game home schedule begins with a Sept. 17 contest versus Central Connecticut State and includes visits from Murray State (Oct. 1), Southland newcomer Texas A&M-Commerce (Oct. 8 - Homecoming), HBU (Nov. 5) and Northwestern State (Nov. 12).
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2021-22 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.
 
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